Goodbye Spot!

kiltman said:
I pulled the trigger on on Inreach mini 2, got it for $150 off of list. Now comes the learning curve.
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That is a good deal. Seems Garmin has pretty good control over the retail pricing. Mind if I ask where you got it?
As for learning.....the curve is a bit steep but short.
 
I have been told that the latest iPhones (13 or 14+?) have the capability of sending SOS (text, voice??) to the satellite phone network. Even when there is NO cellular connection. I would like to know if that is a suitable substitute for Spot, inReach, etc.
 

Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone - Apple Support

With iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models, you can use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services when you're out of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. You can also use the Find My app to share your location with people via satellite.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

Use Crash Detection on iPhone or Apple Watch to call for help in an accident - Apple Support

If your iPhone or Apple Watch detects a severe car crash, your device can help connect you to emergency services.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
Found more info about the iPhone satellite capabilities at:

Connect to a satellite with your iPhone - Apple Support

With iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15, or iPhone 15 Pro, you can connect your iPhone to a satellite to text emergency services, request roadside assistance, and share your location with friends and family — all while you're off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
If you already have a new iPhone, it might give the peace of mind sought after.
 
drrod said:
That is a good deal. Seems Garmin has pretty good control over the retail pricing. Mind if I ask where you got it?
As for learning.....the curve is a bit steep but short.
Click to expand...
In my haste to take advantage of a good deal, thinking it was a mini 2 it turned out to be a mini. I returned it. I did however find a Black Friday Deal from GPS Central in Calgary and picked up the mini 2 for under $400 Canadian. I expect to get it in the next couple of days.
 
I should add that the Mini 2 is really not (IMO) worth the upgrade for me as the feature improvements on the Mini 2, I don't use:

  • Longer lasting battery in tracking mode. (I still have about 30% left after a 10 hour riding day. I charge it every day anyway)
  • Quicker GPS acquisition by using four satellite networks. (I have no issues waiting a few minutes longer for the Sat reception when I start out in the morning)
  • An automatic track-back feature, helping to return the user to their point of origin. (Dont use this feature)
  • New user interface based on the Garmin watches. (I use Earthmate for all my interaction with the Inreach Mini)
  • Electronic compass display heading even when stationary (I always bring a GPSMAP 62 handheld on bike trips, if I decide to go hiking)

I only bring the Inreach for these reasons:

- Message send and receive if out of cell coverage.
- My wife can follow me on my Garmin Explore Map, and send me messages if out of cell coverage.
- SOS feature in an out of cell coverage.
 
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I found a used SE+ on ADVrider, I think it was out prior to the "first" Mini.
200 bucks.

EDIT: SE "plus", not SE-2.
 
I have used both the Inreach Mini and Mini2. Not enough differences in paying to upgrade from a Mini to a Mini2. The battery life on the Mini2 is a lot better but it is fine on the Mini as well. One thing I use a lot is if you have a Garmin XT or XT2 navigator you can pair it to the Mini or Mini2. When paired you can send satellite text messages or pre-programmed messages directly from the XT or XT2. - It is quick and easy to just pop off a message while you are on the road. I keep my Mini2 in my chest pocket and use My XT2 to communicate. My wife gave me a new Apple Watch Ultra II for Christmas. I guess it too has emergency satellite communication capability but have not looked into this yet. You can get some pretty decent prices on the Garmin products if you watch for sales that seem to pop-up regularly.
 
bdalameda said:
I have used both the Inreach Mini and Mini2. Not enough differences in paying to upgrade from a Mini to a Mini2. The battery life on the Mini2 is a lot better but it is fine on the Mini as well. One thing I use a lot is if you have a Garmin XT or XT2 navigator you can pair it to the Mini or Mini2. When paired you can send satellite text messages or pre-programmed messages directly from the XT or XT2. - It is quick and easy to just pop off a message while you are on the road. I keep my Mini2 in my chest pocket and use My XT2 to communicate. My wife gave me a new Apple Watch Ultra II for Christmas. I guess it too has emergency satellite communication capability but have not looked into this yet. You can get some pretty decent prices on the Garmin products if you watch for sales that seem to pop-up regularly.
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I really like the XT integration as well....
 
Well, my Spot tracker was stolen out of my truck so I was caught with the dilemma of do I leave the subscription running so I can find it when he turns it on or just suspend it to use with my next tracker? I mean, who steals a tracking device? :think1:
 
Tor said:
I should add that the Mini 2 is really not (IMO) worth the upgrade for me as the feature improvements on the Mini 2, I don't use:

  • Longer lasting battery in tracking mode. (I still have about 30% left after a 10 hour riding day. I charge it every day anyway)
  • Quicker GPS acquisition by using four satellite networks. (I have no issues waiting a few minutes longer for the Sat reception when I start out in the morning)
  • An automatic track-back feature, helping to return the user to their point of origin. (Dont use this feature)
  • New user interface based on the Garmin watches. (I use Earthmate for all my interaction with the Inreach Mini)
  • Electronic compass display heading even when stationary (I always bring a GPSMAP 62 handheld on bike trips, if I decide to go hiking)

I only bring the Inreach for these reasons:

- Message send and receive if out of cell coverage.
- My wife can follow me on my Garmin Explore Map, and send me messages if out of cell coverage.
- SOS feature in and out of cell coverage.
Click to expand...
I have the original DeLorme inReach SE; Garmin bought them out and almost doubled the price. I was surprised to see you only get about a day of battery life. One of the tradeoffs of making the device smaller; I get probably 5-7 days of life on mine.
The track-back feature looks like it is just a name for a "feature" you get as part of the tracking. I can look back on every ride I've gone on using their online mapping. So the "feature" is simply putting a name to data they collect anyway.

I think the riding environment is different here. It's not uncommon to have dead spots in cell phone coverage in the PNW. Traveling across I-90 (Snoqualmie Pass) is no problem with cell coverage all the way from Seattle to Spokane. But traveling across US-2 (Stevens Pass) is different. But it even applies to local two-lane backroads. Many of the old motorcycle favorites around here are dead zones. I heard of a rider going off the road and they didn't find his body or bike for 5 years.

I'll do like many of you do and suspend my service till I start leaving the area.

As for why someone would steal a tracking device...it costs $350.

Chris
 
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